It often seems as if school was so long ago — but continuing education courses at local colleges and universities allow you to expand on your experiences and previous education with a vast array of programs.

Community programs at Austin Community College are geared towards personal and professional enrichment.

They are held in many formats, from one-time seminars to full certificate programs. Classes allow students to explore their creativity, learn new skills, meet new people and expand on professional development.

Classes range from interests like fashion design to sustainable agriculture, where students learn about environmentally focused farming.

“Our floral design classes are very popular, as well as our language classes (Institute of Language and Culture). Others include Jewelry, Arts and Crafts, Event Planning and Sewing,” commented Friedman.

Additional community program courses include interior design, landscape and horticulture design, becoming a notary public, driving safety, acting and many more.

To unleash your creative side, there are classes in many forms of dancing, writing and fine arts, acting and arts and crafts.

Workplace specific programs are also offered and range from computer and technology professions, health professions and trades like truck driving and building construction.

The recreation and exercise options are endless with fun programs like bowling, beginning golf, fencing and even social dance to explore the traditional social and ballroom dances.

According to an article titled Class of Now: Reasons to Go Back to School on seniorresource.com, a website dedicated to senior options and information, as people age they tend to get comfortable in their ways, and social interactions and cognitive thinking may decrease.

“Often, the process of growing older can isolate us from each other. As our friends pursue their own destinies, we can lose touch and find ourselves ultimately lacking the human contact we need to survive,” according to the article. “Taking classes, particularly at local community colleges, can remedy that problem, bringing us into respectful interaction with all sorts of interesting people.”

The costs for programs like these vary, but many institutions have reduced costs on tuition for seniors.

For more information about Austin Community College’s programs, visit http://continue.austincc.edu/community. Additional places to look for continuing education opportunities are local universities, the local Councils on Aging or seniorresource.com, which lists free or low cost local educational opportunities.

50ATX is a five-part series featuring topics of interest to Austin residents in their 50s. From honing the mind and body to investigating useful apps to finding new ways to have fun, these topics vary greatly in content but are united by focus.